Taking cues from decades of their greatest hits, Nintendo returns to the world of 2D Mario platformers with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Traditional in structure, but transformative in every other way, Mario has never felt more like the trendsetter.
This time, Peach has not been kidnapped, but instead the castle itself of the neighboring Flower Kingdom. With no victims, the entire cast of the Mario party is available to play from old standbys like the Brothers and Toads to newer faces like Daisy and Toadette. All characters control and handle the same, but it allows you to play the game as whoever you'd like with no fear of missing out.
Mario Wonder follows most closely with the New Super Mario franchise. Every level is a 2D set of platforms with a flagpole at the end and 3 hidden coins to find. This time, the coins are part of a new purple-coin currency which can be found in smaller doses throughout the levels. These coins are used exclusively in the many shops scattered around the Flower Kingdom to purchase badges and standees. Badges are Wonder's newest core addition, which gives you one superpower move, like a floating high jump or an extra spin to more unconventional changeups like a grappling hook or a Celeste-like wall grab. Swapping between badges to fit the right job is a satisfying level of variety, and the fact that all badges work with every level is impressive.
Wonder's other big feature is the titular Wonder effect. By finding a Wonder Flower hidden or not-so-hidden, you trigger a wacky flip on the level, like changing you into some new creature, switching the perspective, or pitting you against a rampaging enemy. Levels surprise constantly with new and funny ideas that make stages visually striking and break up the A+ standard platforming.
The Flower Kingdom is the hub for all of the incredible worlds you can explore. While some areas are linear, others open up and allow you to tackle stages as you see fit. Hidden stages and secret exits further the worldbuilding on top of story jusitification for traveling each separate world. It all coalesces to create a vibrant backdrop that is similar to the highlights of Mario's RPG career.
Wonder can be enjoyed solo, but also has local and online multiplayer. Local multiplayer is just as you expect, up to 4 players can create chaos and mad dash to the end of the level. Online is more interesting: you play solo in your own game with ghosts of other players living in the level shadowing around you. Friendly players can drop standees which function as respawn points and you can interact with these players by liking them and emoting. It's a minimal setup, but works really well if you want to tackle the adventure with others. The best element is you don't have to be in the same level as your friends, so you can just be existing in the world and catch your friends when you match on the same stage.
Mario Wonder is the new standard for 2D platformers. The game is approachable, but knows when to bring a formidable challenge. The music is fantastic, boasting a confident new set of catchy athletic themes and underground bops. Finishing the game is a breeze, but there are enough collectibles and stages to keep you busy for several hours after defeating Bowser. It's an achievement and easily follows Nintendo's hot streak of excellent first-party Switch must-haves.
This time, Peach has not been kidnapped, but instead the castle itself of the neighboring Flower Kingdom. With no victims, the entire cast of the Mario party is available to play from old standbys like the Brothers and Toads to newer faces like Daisy and Toadette. All characters control and handle the same, but it allows you to play the game as whoever you'd like with no fear of missing out.
Mario Wonder follows most closely with the New Super Mario franchise. Every level is a 2D set of platforms with a flagpole at the end and 3 hidden coins to find. This time, the coins are part of a new purple-coin currency which can be found in smaller doses throughout the levels. These coins are used exclusively in the many shops scattered around the Flower Kingdom to purchase badges and standees. Badges are Wonder's newest core addition, which gives you one superpower move, like a floating high jump or an extra spin to more unconventional changeups like a grappling hook or a Celeste-like wall grab. Swapping between badges to fit the right job is a satisfying level of variety, and the fact that all badges work with every level is impressive.
Wonder's other big feature is the titular Wonder effect. By finding a Wonder Flower hidden or not-so-hidden, you trigger a wacky flip on the level, like changing you into some new creature, switching the perspective, or pitting you against a rampaging enemy. Levels surprise constantly with new and funny ideas that make stages visually striking and break up the A+ standard platforming.
The Flower Kingdom is the hub for all of the incredible worlds you can explore. While some areas are linear, others open up and allow you to tackle stages as you see fit. Hidden stages and secret exits further the worldbuilding on top of story jusitification for traveling each separate world. It all coalesces to create a vibrant backdrop that is similar to the highlights of Mario's RPG career.
Wonder can be enjoyed solo, but also has local and online multiplayer. Local multiplayer is just as you expect, up to 4 players can create chaos and mad dash to the end of the level. Online is more interesting: you play solo in your own game with ghosts of other players living in the level shadowing around you. Friendly players can drop standees which function as respawn points and you can interact with these players by liking them and emoting. It's a minimal setup, but works really well if you want to tackle the adventure with others. The best element is you don't have to be in the same level as your friends, so you can just be existing in the world and catch your friends when you match on the same stage.
Mario Wonder is the new standard for 2D platformers. The game is approachable, but knows when to bring a formidable challenge. The music is fantastic, boasting a confident new set of catchy athletic themes and underground bops. Finishing the game is a breeze, but there are enough collectibles and stages to keep you busy for several hours after defeating Bowser. It's an achievement and easily follows Nintendo's hot streak of excellent first-party Switch must-haves.